>>15980182God’s Kingdom is not merely a condition in the hearts of Christians. The Bible identifies its true location by calling it “the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 4:17)
>“the kingdom of God is within you.”
To understand this verse correctly, we must consider the context.
Jesus was speaking to the Pharisees, a group of religious leaders who opposed him and shared in arranging for his execution. (Matthew 12:14; Luke 17:20)
Does it make sense to think that the Kingdom was a condition in their obstinate hearts ???
Jesus told them: “Inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.”—Matthew 23:27, 28.
Other translations accurately clarify Jesus’ statement at Luke 17:21: “God’s kingdom is here with you.” (Contemporary English Version) “The Kingdom of God is among you.” (New World Translation, footnote) The Kingdom of heaven was “with” or “among” the Pharisees, in that Jesus, the one designated by God to rule as King, was standing before them.—Luke 1:32, 33.
